7 Technology Advances that Will Influence the Future of Healthcare

There are a number of incredible innovations emerging in the healthcare market, but some of these developments are coming to medicine sooner than we’d think. Whether you suffer from something as minor as fungus on your nail or as serious as cancer, you will soon be able to take advantage of technology in the field of healthcare. Here are some of the most practical advanced technology coming to the medical field over the next few years.

1. Artificial Intelligence

Even though human beings are one of the most superior beings on the planet, our ability to process information is not as quick as it can be. The power of artificial intelligence (AI) can help us process information faster than ever before. For example, IBM’s Watson can browse through 40 million pages in under 15 seconds. With the integration of machine learning, our healthcare technology can be limitless. Even most of these new applications are being developed right now to help medicine work more effectively and develop more accurate diagnostics.

2. Clinical Patient Access Solutions

Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of hospitals in the nation fully digitalize their systems. Most still use paper, which comes with a ton of disadvantages. Being able to book patients in appointment is not only important to hospitals but crucial to medical devices as well.

However, luckily enough there are few platforms on the healthcare market that allow patients to get quick access to medical professionals, such as SmartMATCH Technology. Plus, this technology can help integrate into EMR systems for healthcare use, such as Cerner, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, and more.

3. 3D Printing

3D printing is an up-and-coming technology that is currently being used by a variety of practices in the healthcare industry, such as orthopedics and an array of implants. However, 3D printing is also being evaluated for printing medicine. This can allow for more personalized medicine for those with more complex health conditions. Another area this is being applied to is 3D printing organs or bodily tissues. This can help replace and repair burn victims or those with damaged organs.

4. Augmented Reality (AR)

Google is creating a digital contact lens that is attempting to help those who suffer from diabetes by taking tears and automatically measuring blood glucose levels. Even though this type of product is years from making it to the healthcare market, current regulations have to change for this technology to benefit interested patients.

Recently, a German clinic started using AR on their iPads in the operating room to help with live operations. This way, surgeons can better view the patient’s body before performing surgery, as well as making more precise medical evaluations.

5. Nanorobots

Robots still play a huge role in human life, even at a nanoscale. For example, they can travel in a person’s bloodstream and monitor bodily functions. Nanorobots can even help destroy bacteria, help deliver drugs to the body, reduce blood clotting, and even nano surgeries. However, even though these applications are still in testing, they can seriously change the way we look at healthcare. It’s predicted that we can start seeing applications in nanorobotics by 2025.

6. Robotic Healthcare

Robots have had a home in health care for a long while now. This technology will only continue to improve as time goes on and will become more and more prevalent. Some examples of robotic healthcare include:

- InTouch Health: a robot that can move and examine patients while a doctor is seated in another location.

- Aethon’s TUG: robots that are used to transport supplies, food, and trash internally throughout hospitals.

- Phobot, NAO, PARO, and Milo: all different examples of robots used in pediatric therapy to treat phobias and autism disorders.

7. Cyborgization

Though robots may soon be inside our bodies, they will also soon be attached to our bodies. We can already see this procedure occurring today with robotic limbs and organ replacements. In the future, this will become even more prevalent, along with robotics in other forms, too. We will also likely see the creation of robots that improve senses like hearing, vision, or touch. As of right now, one subject that is being studied intensely is the artificial pancreas. As the technology used to create these devices continues to improve, they may begin to be implanted in the human body to supplement or replace an organic pancreas.